Lithuanian Security Expert: Russia Obviously Prepares For War

Several days ago, a private yacht hit the tanker’s board not far from the Lithuanian oil terminal in Būtingė.

The incident caused a huge scandal and steered the discussion on how well strategic objects were guarded in Lithuania.

Lithuanian military observer Darius Antanaitis has told the correspond of charter97.org in Vilnius about the situation with the security of such objects, whether there is a need to apprehend terrorist attacks or the actions of the “green men”, aimed against an infrastructure like this.

- How good or how bad is the situation with guarding and security of strategic objects in Lithuania, in your opinion?

- There can never be too much security. The level of threat remains linearly proportional to the level of complexity of the object’s security system. Hostile organizations and states are constantly improving their methods so it is necessary to constantly improve the process of reinforcing the security and guarding strategic objects. However, I would not reduce the problem of security only to technical issues: photo and video cameras, alarm systems and so on. An object’s security means constant monitoring of the situation, the analysis of potential threats, watching over new trends in the field of security systems, updating those systems, trainings for personnel.

The most effective way to grant security of strategic objects is comprehension that the threat does exist and it is not a mythical one. In this case, it is possible to get prepared for this threat wherever it comes from.

We need to understand that a terrorist attacks can affect the whole country, that is, every one of us. I'm not talking only about the financial losses, but also human lives.

In case of a nuclear power plant accident or a terrorist act part of the territory may be polluted and become inaccessible for hundreds of years. It is also necessary to keep in mind that security is not only the threat of a terrorist attack, but a human error or defect, committed during the construction or repair of a facility. Every detail, even the poorly screwed screw may eventually lead to a catastrophe that will affect several countries.

- Some strategic objects in Lithuania belong to private companies and corporations. How effectively, in your opinion, can the private capital take care of guarding and security of such objects?

- Several days ago, a private yacht happened to be in dangerous proximity to the tanker and then hit its board. This incident demonstrates that private companies do not properly care about security issues. At the same time, an accident on such object may affect the whole country. On the other hand, private organizations do not have such resources as the government: the intelligence, analysts, security experts etc.

Personally, I believe that both private owners and government agencies should work on the security of strategic objects. Herein, they should act under clear and understandable principles. Private organizations that neglect organization of security at their objects should be punished as such negligence can be costly for the citizens and for the state. Still, shifting responsibility for the issues of security at strategic objects only on the shoulders of the state seems an absurd idea to me. I am confident that the state is ready to lend a helping hand to private companies on the issue of safety at strategic facilities.

- So, probably, we are overestimating the threat and neither terrorists nor the infamous “green men” post any threat to us?

- Although most lectures on security were written literally with blood and sweat, it is better to avoid such lessons. And it is possible if we are constantly alerted and ready. An attack is an important element, but preparedness to prevent an attack is not a less important element in the sphere of security.

Terrorism is business, and business always calculates in terms whether something is profitable or unprofitable. If security is well prepared, the security level is high, then there won’t be the activation of the terrorists or the "little green men". It would simply be an unprofitable business. Too much effort with no benefits.

- How do you assess the military exercises that the Russian army holds near the Lithuanian borders?

- It is obvious that Russia is preparing for war. And it has been preparing for a long time: constantly increasing the level of preparation of its military men, providing shipment of modern weapons, leading information and cyber war, sinking to the abduction of citizens of neighbouring countries, provoking and setting the inhabitants of Russia against the whole world.

The actions of the Russian army remain just one big provocation, to see how far they can get, how far NATO allows them to. As soon as the Kremlin feels our weakness and unwillingness to defend ourselves and fight, we will be destroyed. Only in case we are ready to defend ourselves, neither thieves, nor abusers or criminals would break in. Then our life will be safe. Security is the basis of our life, without it we will have no health care system, no education, there will only be this huge territory at which the population, zombified with the informational propaganda, will lead a wretched existence.